Skip to main content

gifts

The problem I have with reading non-fiction is that it makes me think too much.


Last night I was determined to finish reading Chapter Three in the Book Club's book (Because He Loves Me by Elyse F.) I was making good progress, dotting some things, underlining others, until I hit this paragraph that talked about gifts. I read it, thought some, read it again, then woke Bobby up from his half-slumber to discuss it with him. I left a question mark by that section.

It's very possible that I am just a vile and selfishly, wicked person for whom there is no hope in sanctification this side of heaven. I love to give gifts. I like thinking about people and what they enjoy and finding a bargain on something that will thrill them. (Maybe I should just say I like to shop.) That's why I usually start my Christmas shopping very early. One year I even started shopping for the next year with the after Christmas sales. But I most certainly don't expect people to look at their gifts and think of me.

Granted, I have a few wedding gifts that often when I use them (a mini-food chopper, my dining room table) that I think of the person who gave them to us. But there are many other gifts that I use, that I'm very thankful for, but the gifts never remind me of the person who gave them to us.

I asked Bobby if he could tell me three gifts he's received in his lifetime that stand out in his mind. His face lit up as he told me about both the gifts and circumstances (one story I hadn't heard), but none of his recollections brought forth reflections on the gift giver.

I guess that is why I struggle with EF's suggestion that if we accept the gift of salvation then we focus on its giver. I understand the concept, but when I think about my salvation, I seldom make the jump from salvation to God giving up his Son. Well, maybe at Easter and Christmas, but the rest of the time I simply think about the gift itself...how it's life-changing, how it's free but also "costly", what a comfort it is, etc and so on.
So while I understand what she's trying to accomplish, I disagree with her premise. Meanwhile, she's got me thinking a LOT about Christmas!
Labels:

Comments

Lydia said…
Wow. Monica, you'd better be at bookclub. That's all I have to say:) And this book has me thinking quite a bit also- maybe too much:) Is that possible?
October 16, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

things we do for love

Saturday we had a baby shower for Bobby's niece. As I was making the mints, Bobby asked what else was on the menu. After I recited off the litany of items, he responded with "No peanut butter?! This shower is for Hannah! What's she going to eat?" (Hannah has had stomach problems over the years and has been unable to tolerate many foods, but peanut butter has been her staple.) Despite my assurances that she would enjoy the foods we were having, he was adamant that I needed to make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for the shower. Even though I protested that NOBODY took that to a shower, he persisted, and informed me I could make them dainty with my little cutter. And so I did. To my surprise all but 3 were eaten. Who'd a thunk it?
9 comments
Read more

perspectives

A few years ago after a Bible study a lot of the group continued to sit and talk and simply relax. One of the ladies felt like she was being mistreated by her boss. She was always given extra tasks or asked to assume responsibilities that no one else was asked to do. She felt it was unfair. As she was listing off some of the extras (she worked in a cafe for a plant), I was in flashback mode. My last year of college I was a shift manager at a fast food place. One of my many duties was to ensure that certain cleaning jobs (extra duties) was assigned and done properly. We were inspected by company headquarters once a quarter, and 3 of their 4 visits was ALWAYS a surprise visit. When I handed out those extra assignments, I had three things in mind: Who will do this job without making a bigger mess? Who can quickly do this job so we don't impede serving customers? Who will do this without the most drama? In essence, I wanted the best person for the job. Use the teenager who griped and c...
Post a Comment
Read more

fun...funny houses

 We saw the above house in Pittsboro while on our way to the mountains. It was the strangest house I've ever seen. Evidently this isn't a modification, for Bobby remembers thinking it funny as a child. Evidently a governor lived here at one point. I think the sign said it's now a Masonic lodge. And if seeing one funny house wasn't enough, the latest issue of This Old House had a link to their website that had several galleries of funny (or strange houses). Here's my favorites from their collection:   Szymbark , Poland  This just makes me laugh, and I would love to visit this house in person. Created by a designer who wanted to demonstrate "wrong-doings against humanity".  Visitors have stood in line for as long as 6 hours to tour the house, and many come out feeling "sea-sick".     Kalambaka, Greece... This 1,000 foot cliff drop has housed monastaries since the 11th century. Six of them are open to the public, " assuming, of course, th...
1 comment
Read more